One major selling point for tourists visiting France is the exquisite backing scene. Several Patisseries can be found in major cities like Paris and smaller towns. If you plan to visit Paris soon and have a sweet tooth, you might want to know what you can look forward to when you get there.

French pastries are on a different level of sophistication and richness. So, choosing the best may be challenge. To that end, here is a short list of some of the Paris you should seek when visiting the city of love.

Sweet Treats Around Every Corner

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of ways one can experience the beauty of baking and French pastries when visiting France. You could likely walk down a random street in Paris and find a patisserie open and ready to serve.

You could also decide you want a more hands-on experience and enroll in a macarons class in Paris. Sadly, time is a major factor, and you might not have enough to experience all of it. On that note, there are some pastries you have to try at least once when visiting Paris. Here they are:

The Humble Croissant

Croissant is one French baking marvel that has crossed borders and become respected worldwide. Chefs continue to find new ways to elevate the elegant bread roll, from adding new ingredients to the baking process to turning it into a breakfast sandwich.

A lot is lost in the process of elevation, and if you want to try out what a croissant is meant to taste like, then Paris is the right place to do it. While variations also exist here, it wouldn’t hurt to try an original from a respected patisserie.

Pain Au Chocolat With a Surprise

If you like soft, flaky pastries and chocolate, why not try a marriage of both indulgences? Paine au chocolat is made in a delicate process similar to baking a croissant. However, it veers from this formula toward the end of the process when a bar of rich chocolate is encased within the dough.

Once tossed in an oven, the chocolate melts, resulting in a memorable eating experience with a flaky exterior and a chocolatey, gooey center. Pair this with a hot cup of coffee, and your morning is made. This is a sweet treat worth going out of your way to find.

Eclairs

Staying on the theme of lovingly baked pastries with a surprise inside is the éclair. However, the dough used to bake these is much more dense than the bread dough used to make croissants. However, it keeps the magic of having a treat within. Eclairs can be filled with cream, chocolate, or a filling of choice. What makes the final product even more enticing is the glossy finish. Some use syrup or icing for this glaze, adding another layer of flavor when devoured.

A Crisp Tarte Tatin

If you’re in the mood for something sweet and fruity, this French tart is right up your alley. Apples are sliced and simmered in a pan with syrup until caramelized. The resulting mixture is then covered with pastry dough and baked until nice and golden brown.

We flip, and the final pastry is eye-catching and delicious. If you find this in a pastry shop while touring Paris, you have to try a slice. It just might change your life.

Opera Cake

This wouldn’t be a pastry recommendation without cake in some form. Why not opt for something with unique flavors and a rich history? The opera cake was made in the 20th century and often consists of one or more layers of sponge cake surrounded by coffee-flavored buttercream and chocolate ganache. A major positive of this innovation is the balance in flavors. You get something a little bitter with the coffee-flavored cream and a lot of sweetness from the chocolate and sponge cake. It might be just what you need after hours of touring Paris.

French Macarons

Macarons are an interesting addition to this list. While they taste amazing, they are more revered for the difficult and delicate creation process. Perfect macarons are easier to appreciate when you have some idea of the creation process.

You must indulge if you can find a pastry shop with perfect macarons. You can rest assured that a lot of love and care went into making each one. You’re not just eating a cookie or a biscuit. You’re biting into decades of tradition.

Conclusion

There’s a reason a lot of French pastries have become well-known across the world. They satisfy a craving that very few substitutes can, and if you find yourself in the heart of France, you need to try some fan favorites. Give this list a try, and be prepared to have your standards raised dangerously high. The best part is that there is no limit to how many you can try. While these six are some of the best, there are many other options you can try.